Press Release - The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to Join Local and National Leaders for a Discussion on the Unprecedented Crisis in Our Federal Courts
Nevada has two ???judicial emergency??? vacancies and historic case backlogs
For Immediate Release
Contact: Shin Inouye, 202.869.0398, inouye@archives.civilrights.org
February 13, 2012
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and legal experts and practitioners from Nevada and around the country will highlight the growing judicial vacancy crisis that has deeply impacted the country and state but has largely escaped the public eye. Obstructionism by members of the U.S. Senate, who have often blocked judicial nominees irrespective of bipartisan support and undisputed qualifications, has left our federal courts with growing case backlogs and little relief in sight. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has declared “judicial emergencies” in 33 of the open seats, some of which have been vacant for years.
President Obama, in his State of the Union address, called on Congress to put an end to this harmful politicking. Nevada’s two U.S. senators, Dean Heller and Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, can play a critical role in helping to make that happen. The discussion on February 21 will examine the scope of the crisis and what needs to be done to get our courts working again. The event is hosted by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights with support from the American Constitution Society.
WHO:
Catherine Cortez Masto, Attorney General of Nevada
Robert Raben, Board Member, American Constitution Society
Jonathan MacArthur, Criminal Defense Attorney
Sylvia Lazos, Professor, UNLV Boyd School of Law
WHAT:
Our Courts in Crisis: a panel discussion on the unprecedented judicial vacancy crisis
WHEN:
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
9:00-10:00 AM – Registration & Refreshments
10:00-10:15-- Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto Delivers Opening Remarks
10:15-11:30 AM – Panel Discussion
WHERE:
UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law
Thomas & Mack Moot Court Facility
4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas
REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Jonathan Kent at JKent@rabengroup.com
